In weather conditions that included subzero temperatures in Torrington, Wyo., to spring-like weather in Rocky Mount, Va., cattle producers attended events to learn more about USCA and the issues affecting the U.S. cattle industry.

Feb. 1, ranchers turned out to attend the Torrington Livestock Market and Cattle Country Video customer appreciation day in Torrington, Wyo. The event included speakers from JBS Swift as well as Livestock Marketing Association's Nancy Robinson and others. USCA's Peterson updated the crowd on the latest issues affecting the U.S. cattle industry and urged cattle producers to get active in the battle to reform abuse of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).

USCA leaders and members alike gathered on Feb. 7 in Billings, Mont., to discuss proposed policies and listen to various updates as part of USCA's annual meeting. Former National Association of Conservation District's CEO Jeff Eisenberg along with Society for Range Management President-elect Jack Alexander and Director Jenny Pluhar provided updates to the participants and congratulated the group for its hard work and accomplishments. They encouraged USCA to continually reach out and get involved in the larger realm of agricultural and land resource discussions.

Feb. 12 found USCA being represented at the Greater Midwest Livestock Auctioneer Contest Championships at the St. Onge Livestock Market in St. Onge, S.D. During a break between contests, Peterson outlined the threat of importing foot and mouth disease (FMD) from Brazil and Argentina and called on livestock producers and market owners to work with USCA to prevent the implementation of federal regulations that would allow the increase of meat from countries known to have FMD.

The end of the tour found USCA at the Franklin County Cattlemen's annual meeting in Rocky Mount, Va., on Feb. 24 , where Peterson outlined several of USCA's top issues, including its support for changes in the Packers and Stockyards Act. USCA participated in hearings that resulted in the proposed rule that is being administered by the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). Peterson noted that many of the proposed changes are beneficial and that USCA will be analyzing certain aspects of the rule that producers see as potentially problematic.